Nancy J. Currie

Papers

Total Citations

135

H-Index

About

Nancy J. Currie is a pioneering figure in space telerobotics and human-robot teaming, with a career dedicated to enhancing the safety and efficiency of extravehicular activities (EVAs) in human spaceflight. Her research focuses on the design and operation of robotic systems for the International Space Station (ISS), where she has made seminal contributions to understanding the human factors that govern astronaut-robot collaboration. Her most cited work, "Space Telerobotics" (2013, 81 citations), provides a comprehensive survey of the state of the art, defining key design issues and operational constraints for robots operating in the harsh space environment. Currie’s 2002 study on ISS robotic systems operations (43 citations) is a foundational text in human factors, analyzing the complex interplay between astronauts and the station’s three main manipulators and dexterous arms. She has also advanced the concept of human-centric teaming, exploring how multi-agent teams—combining suited astronauts and autonomous robots—can overcome the severe limitations of traditional EVAs in duration and scope. While her later works on multi-agent assembly tasks (6 and 5 citations) are less cited, they represent forward-looking efforts to expand the capabilities of human-robot teams for future deep-space missions. Currie’s work is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of space exploration.